Page 62 of Family Jewels

“It’ll be easier to clean up than blood.”

The front door burst open, and we both glanced up at the newcomer—a young man I didn’t recognize.

Neely Kate turned to face him, still holding the gun at her side. “If you’re here for the necklace, you can get on out of here. We don’t know where it is.”

“Jed sent me.”

“Jed?” Neely Kate blinked. “JedCarlisle?Whatever for?”

“To take care of him.” He pointed to the man lying on the floor.

“Jed sent someone else?” I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.

The man looked at me, althoughmanmight have been a generous word for him. He looked to be in his late teens. “He was a half hour south of town, so he asked me to help.”

“Who the heck are you?” Neely Kate asked. “You got any ID?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “What good is an ID gonna be? He’s not with the police. He’s not gonna have some badge he can whip out.”

“I’m Brett Hollander, ma’am,” he said and nodded toward her.

“Ma’am?” Neely Kate screeched.

I released a loud groan. “Take him to task for callin’ you ma’am later, Neely Kate. Right now we have to deal with the unconscious, pee-soaked man on our office floor before a customer walks in.” I was glancing up at the clock to see how soon we could lock the doors when I realized my date was going to show up sooner than I’d like. “Look what time it is!” I said in a panic. “Dr. Romano’s going to be here in five minutes.”

“What?” she asked in confusion; then her eyes flew open wide. “Oh, no!” She turned to Brett. “What do you propose we do with him?”

Brett looked more than a little lost, but a half second later his jaw locked with determination. “We’ll move him to the alley.”

“Good idea,” Neely Kate said, moving for Homer’s feet. “You get the top half, and I’ll take the bottom.”

She started reaching for his boots, then waved a hand in front of her face and gagged. “Oh my word. I think he’s been walking in cow poo.”

Brett walked around to Homer’s feet and bent down to look at the soles of his boots. “I reckon you’re right.”

Neely Kate put her hands on her hips and steeled her back. “I amnotholding that end.”

“I’m not gonna do it,” Brett said.

“Somebody has to do it,” I groaned, sending a panicked look toward the door. “Dr. Romano’s gonna be here any minute.”

Neely Kate gave me a resigned look, then turned toward Brett. “Go look out back. See if the coast is clear for us to haul him outside.”

Brett headed out the back door just as the front door opened. My stomach dropped to the floor when I saw Dr. Romano walk in.

“Oh, my stars and garters,” Neely Kate mumbled as she spun around and tried to stand in front of Homer. “Hello, Dr. Romano!” she said a little too enthusiastically.

He frowned and leaned slightly to the side. “Why is that man lying on the floor?”

“He was tired,” Neely Kate said, then gave my arm a shove. “You better get goin’, Rose.”

“Is he okay?” Dr. Romano asked, moving closer. “And what’s that smell?”

“We were cleanin’,” Neely Kate said, then hastily added as she blocked his path, “With ammonia.”

“Does that man need medical assistance?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“Nope,” Neely Kate said. “He’s just a homeless man we let hang out here from time to time. He likes to nap on our floor.”

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